CFFC Match Day results: Antrell Taylor claims Outstanding Wrestler belt in stunningly quick fashion as Nebraska rolls
Campbell surprises early, but shift in venue sees momentum flip in Cornhuskers' favor for 40-6 result at "Dual on the Diamond."
BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – It seemed the Campbell Fighting Camels might have something special in store for the organization's 10th appearance on CFFC Match Day, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead against the powerful Nebraska Cornhuskers, but ultimately an upset was not in the cards at Friday's "Dual on the Diamond."
A victory at 141 pounds for returning All-American Brock Hardy put the first points on the board for Nebraska, and the team never looked back, winning the final eight matches to take home a 40-6 victory, live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
The night started outdoors, at the home of Fighting Camels baseball, Jim Perry Stadium, and it was Anthony Molton and Domenic Zaccone who picked up decision wins for the home team to take the early lead before Hardy's technical fall closed the gap to 6-5. At that point, increasing condensation on the mats raised concern for athlete safety, and the decision was made to relocate the action inside the nearby Carter Gym.
That's when the Cornhuskers came alive.
On the restart of action, returning All-American Ridge Lovett scored a first-period fall over Oliver Fairchild, before Antrell Taylor, competing down at 157 pounds after securing All-American status last season one division higher, needed just 10 seconds to pin Seth Larson.
The quick win earned Taylor the night's Outstanding Wrestler title, though he wasn't able to stick around the gym to collect his belt, having already departed for the Cornhuskers' second dual of the night in nearby Chapel Hill against the University of North Carolina.
After dropping the opening two matches, Nebraska finished with bonus points in all eight closing wins, including two pins and four technical falls.
CFFC Match Day returns to UFC FIGHT PASS on Sunday with the "Jersey Jostle," featuring a pair of NC State duals against Princeton and Rutgers from RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River, N.J.
Complete CFFC Match Day results from the "Dual on the Diamond" include:
125: Anthony Molton (CAM) def. Alan Koehler (NEB) via decision (8-3)
133: Domenic Zaccone (CAM) def. Jacob Van Dee via sudden victory (4-1)
141: Brock Hardy (NEB) def. Michael Trujillo (CAM) via technical fall (17-0)
149: Ridge Lovett (NEB) def. Oliver Fairchild (CAM) via fall (2:16)
157: Antrell Taylor (NEB) def. Seth Larson (CAM) via fall (0:10)
165: Bubba Wilson (NEB) def. Ryan Bolletino (CAM) via major decision (16-3)
174: Lenny Pinto (NEB) def. Brant Cracraft (CAM) via technical fall (19-4)
184: Silas Allred (NEB) def. Conor Maslanek (CAM) via technical fall (19-4)
197: Camden McDanel (NEB) def. Mike Slade (CAM) via major decision (17-5)
HWT: Harley Andrews (NEB) def. Landon Sargent (CAM) via technical fall (22-6)
